Argentine side Velez Sarsfield, meanwhile, have confirmed they have agreed a deal with the Black Cats for full-back Gino Peruzzi and expect the transfer to be completed before the weekend.

Sunderland missed out on highly-rated Le Havre teenager Benjamin Mendy, a former team-mate of Ba's, when he opted to join Marseille instead, but look to have landed Peruzzi after the deal stalled initially over personal terms.

Reports from Italy also claim Di Canio is close to striking a deal for Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini, with around £8.6m required to release him from his contract in Turin.